It’s mostly beige, it’s lazy, and it’s wonderfully British – hooray for the “picky tea”, with 89 percent of Brits admitting it is their go-to meal in summer.
In fact, Brits tuck into an average of three picky teas a week during the warmer months, with sausage rolls (52 percent), a slice of mature cheddar (52 percent) and pork pies (43 percent) emerging as picky plate essentials.
The “picky tea” was recently rebranded on TikTok by Gen Z females, posting pics of their picky plates alongside the hashtagt #girldinner – while Brits around the country refer to it as “picky bits” – or “bits and bobs”.
But whatever you call it, more than four in ten (43 percent) say that it’s not a picky tea without potato salad (43 percent) or coleslaw (43 percent), while 42 percent love to include a handful of juicy cherry tomatoes (42 percent).
According to research from cider makers, Orchard Pig, salad leaves (33 percent), pickled onions and gherkins (32 percent) also made the cut, as did a slice of quiche Lorraine (30 percent).
Scotch eggs have a place on a picky plate (42 percent), as do ready salted crisps (42 percent) and coronation chicken (21 percent), alongside sourdough bread (23 percent), smoked salmon (23 percent), olives (23 percent) and mozzarella (23 percent).
Half (48 percent) say they love delving into their fridge and cupboards, to see what they can rustle up, while 80 percent spend the day imagining what will go on their picky plate that evening.
In fact, 86 percent of those surveyed, agreed it doesn’t get more quintessentially British than a picky tea.
Cardiffers (96 percent), Bristolians (94 percent) and Mancunians (93 percent) are the nation’s biggest picky tea fans
Modern Brits look around the world to fill their plate with pretzels (25 percent), salsa (19 percent), couscous (16 percent) and falafel (14 percent) all proving popular with the younger generation.
When it comes to what to wash it down with, a glass of wine or a refreshing cider were among the top choices.
Eleanor Quigley, Brand Manager at Orchard Pig commented, “It’s clear to see that ‘picky tea fever’ is sweeping the nation, with everything from smoked salmon to sourdough emerging as favourites. Crafted with more apples and less fizz, our choice of ciders match with everything, from sausage rolls to grapes and cheese.”
Four in ten (45 percent) think that a picky tea is the perfect tonic when it is too hot and muggy to put the oven on, while 40 percent simply say it is a more fun way to eat.
The perfect solution when you can’t think what to make (40 percent), adopting a grazing diet in the heat (34 percent) and less cleaning up (31 percent) are also reasons for opting for a picky plate supper.
Over 60s are most likely to lay everything out nicely on the table, so everyone can help themselves. (67 percent)
30 ITEMS FOR A QUINTESSENTIAL BRITISH PICKY TEA:
- Sausage rolls – 52%
- Mature cheddar – 52%
- Slices of ham – 48%
- A pork pie – 43%
- Potato salad – 43%
- Coleslaw – 43%
- A few cherry tomatoes – 42%
- A Scotch egg – 42%
- A handful of ready salted crisps – 42%
- A few crackers – 40%
- A couple of grapes – 36%
- Some salad leaves – 33%
- Some pickled onions – 32%
- A pickled gherkin or two – 32%
- A slice of quiche Lorraine – 30%
- Sour cream and chive dip – 27%
- Houmous – 25%
- Salami slices– 24%
- Pickled beetroots – 23%
- Sourdough bread – 23%
- Smoked salmon – 23%
- Olives – 23%
- Mozzarella – 23%
- Onion bhajis – 23%
- Chorizo slices – 22%
- Coronation chicken – 21%
- A glass of white wine – 18%
- A wedge of blue cheese – 18%
- A cold cider – 18%
- Pretzels – 17%